Former Video Gambling Kingpin Casey Szaflarski Arrested in Burglary of Restaurateur's Home

CHICAGO, IL — Casey Szaflarski, a man once described by federal authorities as the Chicago Outfit’s premier video gambling kingpin, has been arrested and charged in connection with a residential burglary at the home of a prominent local restaurateur. The arrest marks a dramatic return to the law enforcement spotlight for Szaflarski, who previously served federal prison time for his role in a massive illegal gambling operation linked to the mob.

According to police reports, the burglary occurred at a high-end residence on Chicago's South Side. Officers responding to a security alarm discovered evidence of forced entry and ransacked rooms. Valuables, including high-end jewelry and cash, were reported missing from the home. A subsequent investigation utilizing neighborhood surveillance cameras and forensic evidence pointed directly to Szaflarski and an accomplice.

Szaflarski, now in his late 60s, was taken into custody by Chicago police officers without incident. During a search of his possession and vehicle, detectives recovered several items reported stolen from the restaurateur's home. Prosecutors have charged him with residential burglary and possession of burglary tools, citing his extensive criminal history during his initial bond hearing.

In the late 2000s and early 2010s, Szaflarski was a central figure in a major federal investigation into the Chicago Outfit's control over video poker and gambling machines in bars and social clubs throughout the Chicago area. His arrest in this residential break-in has surprised local observers who believed he had retired from active criminal enterprises. Szaflarski is currently being held at the Cook County Jail pending his next court appearance.